Open Poetry #13 |
Lucille, I Call You |
Mabel A. Dilley Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 859Seattle, WA, USA |
Lucille, I have called you back from the banks of the river where you stood on the brink of no more tomorrows. We no longer hear the footsteps of our long ago ancestors; silent is the dance of moccasins against this soft soil. We've become a name beside a box that requires checking on all government forms. I was hoping you could explain the way reeds circle our lake outside Grandfather's cabin and show me the way to ease a canoe into water without a sound, yet keep a picnic lunch dry when paddling all day, and how to navigate my way through a night's darkness. Some say you committed suicide along this river's bend, and thus fell from moon's favor; we speak your name always in hushed tones so as not to disturb those who ushered you across that final river. I want you to return, if only because I am lonely, and I cannot remember what you said when I was but thirteen and it was so very hard to remember anything told to me. I have pressed my dreams for answers and cried a thousand deaths upon those who failed you. None of this has worked, and I still need you to come home. Music: Drum Medicine, David & Steve Gordon Graphics: Webshots@SuperStock, Inc "I am not now that which I have been." |
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© Copyright 2001 Mabel A. Dilley - All Rights Reserved | |||
JLR Senior Member
since 2001-02-04
Posts 1785 |
A beautiful tribute and plea...one I can relate to when needing to understand that which was given to me so young. |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
and cried a thousand deaths upon those who failed you. None of this has worked, and I still need you to come home. And... They cried a thousand tears on the "Trail of Tears", lost thousands, and still injustice prevails today...you struck my nerve with this one, and saddened my heart yet one more time for those that have taught me all I need to survive in life, and be who I am and be proud of it. Fantastic job, and a wonderful read, that unfortunately is true to life. |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Julian~ How this touches the gentle heart of this Cherokee. At great grandmother's knee, I also heard the beginnings of the legends I would come to seek. You have written a tribunal plea that rumbles through the hearts of so many of our people. Listen and you will hear her Spirit on the wind across the water~ Over mountains and up through the valleys she will bring you the comfort you seek~ From bird on wing - and in the song of the wood~ You will know that she is ever-present~ So tenderly touching. I thank you so very much for this telling. We are ONE~ ~*Willow White Feather*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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Paula Finn Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546missouri |
oh OH Julian...this is just magnificent |
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Mabel A. Dilley Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 859Seattle, WA, USA |
Thank you for enjoying a snippet of memories born from my childhood. It is always a pleasure to read your comments. I am then better able to prepare something that can easily be read. "I am not now that which I have been." |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Julian, Well done, a wonderful tribute. |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
A beautiful journey into your memories Julian ... this was a wonderful verse of remembrance, very nicely written. Best wishes, /Kit |
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Sudhir Iyer Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943Mumbai, India : now in Belgium |
Julian, This is excellently written, and the content and context is great too... Thanks for sharing! Regards, Sudhir |
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Honeybee Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372Ontario, CANADA |
A beautiful tribute and tale, Julian! Extremely well expressed, this also touched me~ Take care, Melissa~ |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Julian--A very touching piece of heart here...so real and tenderly expressed this need to know. |
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Jamie Member Elite
since 2000-06-26
Posts 3168Blue Heaven |
excellent, it held my attention well... Jamie |
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Soaringeagle Member
since 2000-12-06
Posts 156CANADA |
WELL DONE WELL WRITTEN BLESS YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL STORY |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Julian, you must know that not one, but several poets have shared this with me today - my e-mail was full of "look at this!" comments. Recently I shared with a friend that yes, I have some Indian heritage, but nothing in the bloodline that would allow me to share deeply the passion of the Indian, but only my spirit, and my innate sense of being one with the earth, is what I hold dear to me. You have written a tremendous tribute, and I hope that many more come to read these words, and begin to gather within themselves a small sense of acknowledgement of the wrongs done, and start to burn with a desire to make things right. Well done my friend. Thank you. |
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